Planning for FY2026 Healthcare Connect Fund? Here’s What You Need to Know
Did you know your healthcare organization could receive funding to cover up to 65% of your internet and network costs? The Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) is a federal program that helps eligible healthcare providers across the United States reduce networking costs by offering subsidies of up to 65% on qualifying broadband expenses. This program enables healthcare facilities to deliver high-quality care, enhance patient outcomes, and close the healthcare access gap in rural and underserved areas. What’s happening now? The funding process for FY2026 has officially begun. Here’s how it works: Key Dates for FY2026: We’ve compiled all the important dates to keep your organization on track: Why start now? Starting the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) process early allows you to: How We Can Help The Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) application process can be complex. At HealthConnect Networks, our team guides you from start to finish—determining eligibility, managing competitive bidding, submitting your funding request, and overseeing subsidy disbursement. This allows you to secure maximum funding while focusing on what matters most: operations, patient care, and serving your community. Ready to get started? Contact us today to begin your FY2026 funding journey with confidence.
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The Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) FY2025 Filing Window Has Closed – What’s Next?
The Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) FY2025 Filing Window Has Closed – What’s Next? The FY2025 filing window for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program’s Healthcare Connect Fund officially closed on June 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM. In the final days leading up to the deadline, the HealthConnect Networks team worked around the clock to submit funding requests for our partner healthcare organizations. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we successfully submitted $30 million in subsidy requests on behalf of 2,500 healthcare sites across 25 states—a win for rural healthcare everywhere. Here’s what happens next: We’ll handle any questions from USAC: If the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) reaches out with questions about your funding request, our team will manage all communications on your behalf. We’ll follow up with your vendor or you if needed: In cases where we need additional information, we’ll coordinate directly with your vendor or reach out to your organization. We’ll keep you updated through HCN Connect: Once your funding is approved, we’ll update your status in HCN Connect. Anyone with login access to your organization’s portal will automatically receive an email notification—no need to check daily! (Need to add someone to your HCN Connect portal? Email us at info@healthconnectnetworks.com.) Missed the FY2025 window? USAC recently announced the dates for the FY2026 funding cycle. The filing window will open on December 1, 2025, and close on April 1, 2026. If you’re submitting FCC Form 461 to request services through the Healthcare Connect Fund, you can begin the competitive bidding process as early as July 1, 2025. See below for the full list of important FY2026 program dates. Want to get in early for the next window? Reach out to us at info@healthconnectnetworks.com or book your consultation today. Return to Insights Home
Introducing HCN Connect: Real-Time HCF Subsidy Management Made Easy
Introducing HCN Connect: Real-Time HCF Subsidy Management Made Easy You spoke, and we listened. Thanks to your feedback, we are excited to announce the launch of HCN Connect, a customer-facing portal designed to make managing your Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) application easier than ever. What does this mean? We know the HCF process can feel long, complex, and often leave you wondering about the status of your subsidies. That’s why we created HCN Connect—to simplify the process and keep you informed every step of the way. With this portal, you’ll never be left guessing about your application status or subsidy allocation. How does it work? HCN Connect is designed to sync with your HCF application. When there’s an update on your subsidy request, the portal reflects that change and notifies you by email. Here’s how it helps: How will it help you? CFOs and Accountants can get instant updates on subsidies for the upcoming fiscal year. CIOs and IT Managers can track equipment purchases, from routers to firewalls. CEOs and Managers can quickly view year-to-date subsidy totals to streamline decision-making. When will it be available? HCN Connect is live now! After a successful Beta testing phase, we’ve refined the platform to deliver a seamless, user-friendly experience. HCN Connect is available to all HealthConnect Networks members, providing real-time insights into HCF subsidies. Get Started with HCN Connect Ready to take control of your HCF subsidy management? Contact us at info@healthconnectnetworks.com set up a personalized demo or learn more about how this portal can transform the way your organization tracks and manages HCF subsidies. Streamline Subsidy Management with HCN Connect Learn More schedule your consultation
One-Pager: Are You Eligible for Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Subsidies?
